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New Chapter facilitates the recruitment of a UK/I Sales Director across interview participants in the UK, USA and Russia

New Chapter facilitates the recruitment of a UK/I Sales Director across interview participants in the UK, USA and Russia

08 August 2012

The Challenge

Following a client recommendation at a global ingredients company, we were approached by PureCircle; the world's leading producer of high purity stevia ingredients for the global food and beverage industry. Due to the significant growth potential of its product, PureCircle was looking to appoint a Sales Director for the UK and Irish markets.

Having established strong relationships with a wealth of strategically important food and beverage manufacturers in countries where stevia was already approved for use, PureCircle anticipated the approval of stevia in Europe and recognised the importance of the UK market. The role of Sales Director was a newly created role and unique in that it presented the successful candidate with a blank canvas on which to launch this newly approved ingredient in the UK. However, it required a very specific background in terms of technical understanding across a range of food and beverage sectors, a strong sales background, a strategic mind-set and the ability to foster new relationships at the highest level.

The New Chapter Solution

After a thorough initial brief, we met for a follow-up meeting with two of the Directors within PureCircle to discuss our progress and hone our understanding of the company and the position. It was clear that a range of search methods would be required to find the very best candidates for such a unique role, hence we set to work using a combination of headhunting, advertising and networking candidate sourcing methodologies. A target list of suitable companies to approach was compiled, consisting largely of functional food ingredient suppliers and flavour houses.

Next, technical competencies were measured by questions agreed in advance with PureCircle, since the knowledge required for the position was highly specific. Telephone interviews were then arranged following submission of the shortlist, largely because it was proving challenging to find dates that would enable a face-to-face meeting between the necessary participants – in the UK, USA and Russia.

The Results

Following two further interviews in the UK, an offer was accepted by the successful candidate.